Analysis of Seized Drugs during 2020–2023

Abstract

         Drug problems in Thailand still exists due to drug trafficking networks that smuggle the illicit drugs into the country and use Thailand as a transit route to transfer the drugs to other countries. In addition, there are online social networks which have become an important channel for drug trafficking. Therefore, there are many seized drugs need to be analyzed. Bureau of Drug and Narcotic, Department of Medical Sciences has been appointed as a narcotic testing laboratory for seized drugs. During 2020−2022, the narcotic laws had been changed, especially those related to kratom and cannabis. The objective of this study was to collect and analyze data on psychotropic and narcotic substances found in seized drugs during the fiscal year 2020−2022. The seized drug analysis was composed of screening test using color test, and confirmation tests using thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatographymass spectrometry. The results indicated that the most detected drug was methamphetamine, followed by kratom and cannabis. Moreover ketamine, ecstasy, heroin and cocaine were also found. For psychotropic substances, most frequently found in seized drugs was ketamine, followed by clonazepam, sibutramine and alprazolam. Most of psychotropic substances in schedules II and IV found in the seized drugs were benzodiazepines. It was reported that there was an emergence of a new narcotic drug which might contain different psychoactive substances in varying combinations. Therefore, it is necessary for a narcotic testing laboratory to improve the narcotic testing skill that responds to the future situation where new types of narcotic drugs might be widespread.